Elderly Patient: Common Infections Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section Office of Public Health Louisiana Dept of Health & Hospitals Your taxes at work

UTI Most common infection Clinical manifestations nonspecific classic UTI (fever, dysuria, frequency, suprapubic /flank pain), ALSO confusion, failure to eat, failure to get up / move Prevalence elderly, noncatheterized= 15% with long-term in-dwelling catheters=50% prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria = 100% Most common cause of bacteremia; 33% of BSI caused by UTIs Acquisition of catheter-associated UTI  3 fold increased mortality

UTI Differentiate asymptomatic bacteriuria from UTI Diagnosis Clean-catch urine difficult to obtain Clean-cath voided technique: In/Out catheterization Negative pyuria test exclude UTI Quantitative test No screening necessary in asymptomatic patients: Specimens collected through catheters grow bacterial biofilms from catheter Treatment Do not treat asymptomatic bacteriuria Replace catheter before antibiotic tx if indicated

UTI Prevention Limit use of catheters Insert catheter aseptically by trained personnel Clean technique as safe as sterile technique Hand washing before & after Use smallest diameter as possible Maintain closed catheter system Avoid irrigation unless obstructed catheter Keep collecting bag below bladder Maintain good patient rehydration Antimicrobial coated catheters Consider intermittent catheterization Consider external catheter in M Condom Suprapubic Leg bag

Pressure Ulcers Pressure ulcer 2 nd leading site of infection in LTCFs - Prevalence 2%- 23% Pressure ulcers = soft-tissue lesions,  blood supply  cell death Severity: inflammation  ulceration  underlying osteomyelitis,  gangrene,  joint deformities  secondary bacteremia (50% mortality) Risk factors  Wetness/dampness;  Improper positioning;  Poor hygiene;  Improper lifting techniques;  Restraints, casts, or braces  Decreased mobility, impaired circulation

Pressure Ulcers Colonization = positive culture alone Infection =  Purulent tissue /drainage (regardless of culture results)  Serosanguinous drainage, pain, swelling, heat, induration, or erythema around lesion To culture a pressure ulcer:  Clean surrounding skin with antiseptic  Clean necrotic tissue with sterile water  Aspirate deep drainage or insert sterile swab deep into wound Pathogens  Polymicrobial (aerobic & anaerobic)  Common organisms:  Proteus spp., E. coli,  Enterococci,  Staphylococci,  Pseudomonas,  Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus, C. perfringens

Pressure Ulcers: Prevention Nursing measures:  Regular positioning/ turning;  Personal hygiene,  Keep area dry Dressing:  Contaminated dressings into biohazardous waste  Change dressings regularly Debridement of necrotic tissue (by surgical, mechanical, or chemical means) and regular dressing changes Private room desirable when:  Lesion draining and not covered by dressing  Dressing does not contain drainage  Confused resident will not leave dressing in place

Pressure Ulcers: Prevention Relieve & distribute pressure: Special mattresses, kinetic beds, foam protectors Protect skin:  Film for minimally draining stage II ulcers  Hydrocolloids or Foam (low drainage),  Alginates (heavy drainage)  Negative pressure wound therapy Private room desirable when:  Lesion draining and not covered by dressing  Dressing does not contain drainage  Confused resident will not leave dressing in place Barrier precautions:  Masks /goggles not indicated except irrigation  Gowns if soiling with drainage likely  Gloves when touching drainage

Pneumonia 3 rd common site of infection Mortality rate 30-50% Risk factors:  Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD  Decreased clearance of bacte from airways Most pneumonias due to aspiration Clinically atypical: Fever 70% Cough 61% Altered mental status38%  respiratory rate >30/mn23% Evaluation: Pulse oxymetry Chest Xray CBC BUN

Pneumonia Pathogens:  Pneumococcus, most common bacterial cause 13%  H. influenzae, other H.spp, 6%  S.aureus 6%  Moraxella 5%  Gram- bacilli (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, K. pneumoniae, 13%  Growing problem in institutionalized  Throat flora changes with aging:  Gram-  Legionella pneumophila  Influenza, RSV, parainfluenza, coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus Transmission  Endogenous flora /aspiration: S. aureus, pneumococci  Droplet  L. pneumophila if aerosolized: air conditioning, cooling towers, showerheads

Pneumonia Prevention Pneumococcal vaccine for adults with chronic illnesses and > 65 years old Influenza vaccine HCW & frequent visitors /volunteers annually Physical activity, regular deep-breathing exercises Discourage smoking Prevention with residents on ventilators or with tracheostomies:  Standard precautions  Sterile gloves for all manipulations at tracheostomy site Suctioning only when needed to  substantial secretions Standard precautions

Pneumonia Prevention: Reduce Aspiration Encourage mobility Discontinue or decrease use of sedatives Avoid bulk laxatives to debilitated or dysphagia residents causing esophageal plugs and aspiration. Drink full glass of water immediately after taking laxative Feed residents slowly with adequate fluids Check nasogastric tube placement before each feeding; elevate head of the bed during feedings and 30 mn after Clean, disinfect, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment, including medication nebulizers

Tuberculosis High prevalence of TB infection among elderly (20- 50%)  high incidence of TB among elderly Most TB disease is reactivation of old infection Outbreaks of TB in LTCFs are uncommon Diagnosis made late  Elderly fewer and symptoms less marked (?)  Other pulmonary symptomatology prevents TB suspicion  Radiographic findings atypical Microscopic identification of AFB presumptive, confirm w culture Patients w sputum smear positive for AFB, cavitary disease are most contagious

Tuberculosis Prevention Screening:  Identification of residents with TB infection at admission  Mantoux two-step technique recommended  Newer techniques available  If screening test positive  chest X-ray as baseline  Induration  10 mm suggestive of TB infection INH preventive therapy for 6 months for LTBI Consider risks of INH hepatitis Residents with positive PPD not treated:  Monitor closely for pulmonary symptoms  BUT no need for systematic chest X-rays Active pulmonary TB disease: Airborne precautions Airborne Precautions 1. Private room with negative pressure 2. Air exhausted out of HEPA filtered before re-circulation 3. Particulate respirator masks: N Precautions maintained until sputum smear negative 5. During transportation: wear surgical mask (not a respirator)

Influenza Influenza affects the elderly twice as often as the young Outbreaks common Case fatality rates ~ 10% in LTCFs Rapid antigen test available Complications in elderly:  Primary influenza pneumonia  Secondary bacterial pneumonia, after 1-4 day improvement

Influenza Prevention Yearly immunization of residents before influenza season   40% hospitalization   50% patient mortality Yearly immunization of HCP Antiviral prophylaxis sometimes recommended as supplementary If resident not immunized, immediately after immunization Not cost-effective alternative to immunization Adapt to prevailing strain resistance Side effects Residents with impaired renal function or seizure disorders

Influenza Prevention During a community outbreak, monitor personnel closely, encourage to remain home if influenza Perform surveillance for respiratory infections during influenza season Outbreak control measures. Private room is not necessary  During epidemics, infected residents may be cohorted  Standard precautions + droplet precautions  Mask all symptomatic residents  If resident contaminates environment with copious respiratory secretions: Gown During outbreaks: Restriction of admissions and visitors

Gastro-Intestinal Frequent in the elderly Transmission:  Person to person & environment  Shared bathrooms, dining, rehabilitation facilities  Norovirus, Shigella, C.difficile  Foodborne   in gastric acid  Salmonella, E.coli Shiga Tox, S.aureus tox C. difficile diarrhea & pseudomembranous colitis Rotavirus (disappearance of antibodies in > 70 years ) Salmonella carriers after infections High severity in elderly Profuse watery diarrhea  dehydration Salmonella CFR 10%

Gastro-Intestinal Viral diarrhea: Norovirus mostly Bacterial diarrhea:  Toxin mediated: C. difficile, C. botulinum, S. aureus  Invasive: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7

Gastro-Intestinal: Prevention Standard precautions Proper food handling and serving techniques Hold food at proper temperatures Cook food thoroughly Avoid use of contaminated equipment Good personal hygiene for food handlers Private room if resident’s hygiene is poor Gowns if soiling with feces likely Incontinent residents securely diapered to prevent environmental contamination Antibiotics, antimotility agents and absorbents used sparingly Fluid replacement, preferably with oral fluids Temporarily eliminate milk products from diet, because damage to mucosa may lead to temporary lactose intolerance

Scabies Diagnosis overlooked because of confusion &  dry, pruritic skin Ongoing visual assessment by caregivers important for early detection Scabies outbreaks relatively common in LTCFs Not a reportable disease Annual rate of scabies outbreaks in LTCF = 4%-17% Attack rates of direct care giver: 38%-69% Generalized dermatitis = Norwegian scabies Extensive scaling & crusting More mites  highly contagious situation even with casual contact Contaminated linens /clothing of bedridden resident  high transmission

Bacteremia Primary or secondary (UTI/E.coli or pneumonia) High prevalence of intra-vascular devices High CFR Prevention identical to prevention in hospital setting Marschall J et al Strategies to Prevent Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Acute Care Hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2008; 29:S22–S30 Supplement art icle: SHEA/IDSA practice recommendation

MRSA MRSA tends to colonize and/or infect debilitated residents Transfer of patients with MRSA: acute- care facilities  LTCFs Close living conditions /level of personal care required for many residents  acquisition rate (Ex: 5%- 10% /year) Per year among residents: 90 Colonization before invasive infection Once prevalent in a facility, MRSA extremely difficult to eradicate Direct contact, hands of personnel

VRE VRE tends to colonize debilitated resident Infrequent cause of infection in LTCF Transfer of the patients with VRE: acute- care facilities  LTCFs Risk of VRE infections in LTCF low Main transmission is hands Immediate environment of colonized with VRE often contaminated No evidence that colonization of HCW has a role